Gagan Singh Bhandari

Gagan Singh Bhandari (Nepali: गगनसिंह भंडारी; c. 1796 – 14 September 1846) was a prominent Nepalese general during the mid-19th century. He was born into a Chhetri family from the Gorkha Kingdom. At the height of his influence, General Gagan Singh commanded seven regiments of the army, compared to three under the serving prime minister Fateh Jung Shah, making him one of the most powerful figures in the Nepalese court.

He was known for his political alliance with Queen Rajya Lakshmi Devi, the favored consort of King Rajendra Bikram Shah, who supported his authority and influence within the court. Some historians have alleged that he was romantically involved with the queen, a claim that has been subject to speculation but remains undocumented in primary sources.

Little is known about his early life. He was assassinated under mysterious circumstances while offering evening prayers at his private temple on the night of 14 September 1846. His death marked a major turning point in Nepalese history, eventually leading to the rise of Jung Bahadur Rana and the establishment of the autocratic Rana dynasty. Provided by Wikipedia